In the biggest fight of Euro 2016, Spain will play against Italy to secure a place in quarterfinals

In one of the last two face-offs, La Rosa (Spain) will take on Azzurri (Italy) in Stade de France on Monday. In the biggest fight of Euro 2016, Spain will play against Italy to secure a place in quarterfinals, Italy will almost remain unchanged from the squad who began the win against Belgium in their opening game. Only Antonio Candreva will not play the match due to a thigh problem, right wing-back Alessandro Florenzi will replace him.

Spain has played with the same line-up in all the three games so far.

In the biggest fight of Euro 2016, Spain will play against Italy to secure a place in quarterfinals

In the biggest fight of Euro 2016, Spain will play against Italy to secure a place in quarterfinals

Spain will go as favourites into the match thanks to the outstanding form of Andrés Iniesta. They continue to emphasise ball control, while the Italian game continues to launch a counter-attack.

This is the sixth time Spain will meet Italy at the Euro, making it the most played fixture in the tournament.

In 2008 Euro, Spain’s shoot-out win against the Italy is the first instance when they had beaten them at a major tournament.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

In the three Euro Cup, both sides will be meeting for the fourth time, and the sixth overall – making it the most played fixture in the tournament.

Spain was lost last time in a competitive match against Italy with 1-2 in the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup. Azzurri coach Antonio Conte started that match.

Since then, Italy has won just one of 11 games against Spain (including friendlies). Spain won four matches and drawing six.

Italy

Defeat to the Republic of Ireland was the Italy’s first defeat in 13 competitive games under Antonio Conte winning nine and three draws.

At their last four knock-out games at Euro Championship, Italy have failed to score in three matches except their 2-1 win against Germany in the semi-finals in 2012.

This is the ninth appearance of Italy in EURO final tournament and their sixth in a row since 1992 edition in Sweden where they failed to qualify. And in 1996 and 2004, they failed to advance through the group stage.

Italy won the 1968 EURO and have been runners-up twice since – in 2000 and 2012.

Antonio Conte has used 22 players in the group stage which more than any other side, including all 20 outfield squad members. Only Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci have started all three games.

In their 36 games at the Euro Championship, Italy has never scored more than two goals in any game.

If Italy suffered a defeat today, for the first time it would see lose in consecutive games at the European Championship finals.

Spain

Spain is playing its sixth consecutive EURO. They have consecutive won Euro Cup- in 2008 and 2012.

At the World Cup and European Championship, The Spanish side has lost three of their last six games – as many defeats as in their previous 31 major tournament games.

Excluding penalty shoot-outs at World Cup or European Championship, None of Sergio Ramos’ 48 shots have resulted in goals.

Alvaro Morata scored three European Championship goals for Spain, only David Villa (four) and Fernando Torres (five) is ahead of him.